Pink-backed pelican

Birds of Namibia

Introduction: Although found in only a few areas
of Namibia, the pink-backed pelican (Pelecanus rufescens) frequents a
wide range of wetlands which include dams, lakes, slow-moving rivers, lagoons,
estuaries and sheltered bays.

Diet: Forages in shallow
water, close to shore, swimming slowly to catch prey underwater for cichlid
fishes such as small tilapia. Also eats fruits and figs.

Description Tall dark grey
feathers with brown shafts. Back and rump pale grey. Underparts whitish or very
pale grey. Greyish pink legs and feet. Often confused with the much larger great
white pelican which has a longer bill and neck, cleaner white plumage and
contrasting black flight feathers.

Breeding: Usually 2 or 3 eggs
are laid between June and August, incubated by both sexes for up to 35 days. The
male collects all the material for the nest, such as sticks, and the female
stays on site to build it.

only 25 kilometers west of Mariental this lodge promises an interesting safari experience. With over 19 game species including white rhino on the property, those seeking wildlife in this arid area are unlikely to be disappointed

Recently upgraded, the resort is reasonably close to the main highway and offers an alternative overnight stop for those traveling between South Africa and southern Namibia towards Windhoek and other central areas of the country

Only a few kilometers from Mariental this magnificent game lodge is a green oasis in the Kalahari Desert. A wildlife breeding program means several rare buck species can be found on the lodge's game farm

The meerkat or suricate is a small mammal which inhabits the Kalahari - we do not know why this lodge is named after them. Perhaps if you stay here and find out you can tell us and then we can make this slightly more descriptive